Abstract: An aerial platform comprising a kite providing a level of directional stability when elevated by the wind, and an inflated balloon attached above the kite with a cord. The payload is attached to the kite. The physical separation of the balloon from the kite isolates the payload from shocks generated by the balloon. Additional isolation is provided by use of an elastic attachment cord. Electric power is supplied to the aerial platform by means of an optical fiber receiving optical power from a ground-based source, and conversion of the optical power to electrical power on board the platform. In order to provide a strong tether line, the optical fiber is plaited with a jacket braided from high tensile strength fibers. An aerial laser transmitter is described using a ground based laser source transmitting laser power through an optical fiber to an aerial platform for transmission from the platform.

Abstract: A system for detecting intrusion across a surface, comprising a plurality of light sources projecting an array of illuminating beams along different optical paths in the surface and a detector array system directed such that it detects along a plurality of fields of view in the surface, illumination reflected from the illuminating beams. A signal processing system detects changes along the array of fields of view, in the reflected illumination level detected by the detector system. An increase greater than a predefined level in the reflected illumination level from any field of view provides an indication of an intrusion across the surveilled surface along that field of view, at the crossing point of the direction of that field of view with the optical path whose illuminating beam generated the increase in reflected illumination from that field of view.